by Maddalena Lauzi
I had the privilege to organise a recent matchmaking event in Japan, which brought together 25 leading European startups and 5 of Japan’s largest and most influential corporations. This initiative highlighted the growing synergy between Europe and Japan, and it was a valuable opportunity to connect innovative European deep-tech startups with Japanese corporates eager to explore cutting-edge solutions.
The main topics of the event included energy transition, decarbonization, digital transformation, space-related innovations, and the circular economy. Corporations expressed a strong interest in solutions related to advanced materials, smart devices, AI, and sustainable technologies. The event provided a unique platform for European startups to present disruptive technologies that align with Japan’s strategic goals in sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and digital innovation.
The EU-Japan relationship continues to strengthen, with an increasing number of collaborative efforts across various sectors. Recent figures show that Japan is one of the EU’s largest trade partners, with EU-Japan trade reaching €150 billion in 2022, and growing investments in green technologies and digital transformation. Initiatives such as the EU-Japan Green Alliance and discussions surrounding Industry 5.0 are driving both regions toward a more sustainable and tech-driven future.
Key takeaways from the event include:
– Cultural Alignment: European startups quickly adapted to Japan’s business culture, focusing on building trust and aligning with corporate goals.
– Focus on Sustainability: With Japan’s commitment to green growth, European cleantech startups were well-positioned to offer innovative solutions.
– Digital Transformation: Japanese corporates are eager to adopt European innovations in AI, robotics, and Industry 4.0.
– Opportunities for European Startups: Japan offers significant long-term growth potential, especially in tech, sustainability, and manufacturing.
The success of this event is a strong reminder of the immense potential for collaboration between European and Japanese ecosystems. At Ventures.eu, we are well-positioned to help our startups tap into the Japanese market and build meaningful partnerships that drive innovation and growth.
We also firmly believe that cross-border collaboration is essential to advancing technological innovation and sustainable growth. The partnership potential between Japan’s corporate leaders and Europe’s deep-tech startups is immense, and this initiative has once again demonstrated how shared ambitions can translate into tangible impact.
As we continue to foster connections between innovators and investors across continents, our mission remains clear: to help European startups expand globally and to support corporates in accessing transformative technologies.
Organisations and founders interested in exploring collaboration opportunities with our portfolio or learning more about upcoming international initiatives are invited to contact our team at Contact us – Ventures.eu
